Ash Barty insists the "time was right" for retirement

Speaking to reporters after her shock announcement on Wednesday, the world number one said, "I think a lot of different things have happened in my life and that have changed my perspective.

"And timing is everything. I'm a big believer in that. And I think, after the Australian Open, I was really hoping that we'd get the opportunity to play a home Fed Cup tie.

"But that wasn't meant to be, it wasn't the case. And I just knew that for me that the time was right, I'd given absolutely everything that I could to the sport.

"And I knew that it wouldn't be fair to my team and the people that have invested so much time and energy into my life, to not be 100 per cent committed for them.

"So, it's been a hell of a journey, I wouldn't change a thing. And I certainly have no regrets."

Barty won the Australian Open earlier this year, adding this to her Wimbledon and French Open crowns in 2021 and 2019 respectively.

She has been at the top of the WTA Rankings for 114 weeks, ever since her success in Paris.

She said her successes over the last 12 months have shifted her view, particularly winning her home Grand Slam.

She continued, "After Wimbledon, my perspective changed a lot and there was this beautiful challenge of trying to play the Australian Open and trying to win an Australian Open which was always another goal of mine.

"To do that as a team meant too much to me, it was incredible.

There is no perfect way, there is no perfect timing, but this was our perfect way and it was a great finish."

While she admitted she would "never say never" concerning a return to tennis, it seems she is focused on other ventures, including potentially coaching.

She has already returned to the sport once before though, having taken a year-long break in 2014 to play cricket.